The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-08-03
The Country Editor.

Who can adequately describe the labor of
the country editor who is devoted to his pro-
fession, His work is never done. His mind
Is never at rest. He is constantly on the
alert FOR material for his paper. he wears
his nerves on the surface, sensitive TO every
move about him. He works where other
people play. and the luxury of absolute rest,
with freedom from worry, Is, alas all too
rarely experienced by him. Do you think il
an easy matter TO collect seven or eight col
umns OF local news and put it III readable
shape within Il week? Do you realize that
for almost every one of the hundreds of diff
ferent statements of facts, the editor has had
10 walk considerable distance and to make
personal inquiry? Do you realize that the
matter thus laboriously collected. bit 10y bit,
when written out makes more lines in type
than the sermons of any minister in the
community? Do you realize that the editors
writings would make score or more of good
sized volumes every year?
But all the work thus imperfectly described
is the least of the labors OF the average coun-
try editor. How easily, how joyfully would
he do all this If it were all he had to do, All,
friends, the real work, the real anxiety of the
country editor are to the world an unwritten
book, but to him an ever present, ever tor
turing actually. Some parts of this hidden
work we cannot willingly write about, for
they are too painful; but let US glance at
at some of the things referred TO. The coun-
try editor has to manage his business. He
solicits advertisements and spends hours in
the work of convincing men against their
wills that it is to their interest to keep their
names and wares before the public; be spends
days and days talking with men to induce
them to become subscribers and slowly builds
up list of names for his paper; he doubles
this work when it comes to collecting the
money for his advertisements and his sub
scriptlons tramping miles and miles and
wasting many precious hours trying to get
hold OF few dollars with which to meet OBJ
legations that are pressing him, wolf like, and
racking his mind with perplexity and fear.
That is the work which makes the country
editor old before his time, that oftentimes
puts him in a humiliating attitude before
business men and fills his heart with the bit
terness of despair.
And the influence of the country editor
who can estimate it? 1t is the greatest force
IN any community. The work of all the
ministers cannot equal the influence OF the
country editor. The spoken word will mover
equal the written one in effectiveness and
permanent value; and all the congregations
In a town cannot equal III number the audit
ors of the editor. He speaks weekly 20 thou
sands of people where tho ministers talk TO
hundreds. We bring the ministers into this
discussion not to belittle their work. bat TO
make a comparison that will be generally
understood.
The influence of the country editor is
nearly always helpful; good newspaper will
do more for town than any other one influ-
ence. Is there hospital to be built? The
editor presents the necessity for it, kindling
In every mind desire TO see the institution
established, points out the way for accom-
plishing the object desired and helps along
every scheme for furthering the cause. Are
selfish men planning to line their pockets
with a scheme that will injure instead of
benefit the town. The editor exposes the
plot and awakens the opposition of the peo-
pie. Is there fair in progress for the BEN
eft of a church or town library? The editor
booms it, gets everybody interested and in
sympathy with the matter and turns the
golden tide in the proper direction. He
helps along the local charities and all worthy
institutions; he keeps the people informed
about each other and alive to the interests of
their town: his influence is strong, constant
and for the well being OF bis toWn.--NorH
Ad0us (Hess) Erprtss.